Results 10,841-10,860 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The position is that in matters relating to the VAT rating of goods and services, I am constrained by the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. In relation to the VAT rate that applies to defibrillators, the position is that under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: In my response of 4 March 2008 to the question raised by Deputy Burton (No. 207) I advised that the Revenue Commissioners had sought to establish from the German Tax authorities if any Irish residents appeared on the list held by them. They subsequently indicated that a response would be provided. This is still awaited. As the Deputy is aware the Revenue Commissioners are precluded from...

Written Answers — Off-Course Betting: Off-Course Betting (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Off-course betting in all sports is already subject to regulation in the form of the Betting Act, 1931. There are, at present, no plans to provide for further regulation of off-course betting.

Written Answers — Ministerial Salaries: Ministerial Salaries (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 102 together. Increases for office holders and a number of other groups were recommended in Report No. 42 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The Review body is an independent standing body whose primary function is to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to higher public servants. As well...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government does not include provision for the introduction of such a charge and there are no plans, at this stage, to introduce a tax of this type.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I should first explain that policy responsibility for market abuse legislation is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The legislative framework relevant to market abuse issues is S.I. No. 392 of 2005, the Market Abuse (Directive 2003/6/EC) Regulations, 2005. Responsibility for the administration of that legislation is a matter for the Central Bank...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Irish banks' liquidity arrangements are sound and the Governor of the Central Bank and Financial Service Authority of Ireland has recently stated his view that the sector is comfortably meeting the more stringent prudential liquidity requirements introduced by the Financial Regulator before the recent market disruption commenced. This view is echoed in the recent report of the OECD,...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: On Budget day, GDP was forecast to rise by 3.0 per cent this year, with GNP forecast to rise by 2.8 per cent. The Budget day forecasts have not changed. At the time, the median forecast for 2008 among economic commentators was for GDP growth of 3.25 per cent. In other words, my Department's forecasts were marginally below the market consensus. In terms of next year, GDP was forecast to...

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The economic environment for business is more challenging as we move into the early months of 2008. The reported Exchequer Statement at the end of the first quarter showed Corporation Tax receipts were marginally behind profile at that stage. However, as the bulk of Corporation Tax is collected towards the end of the year it is too early to predict the full year performance at this juncture....

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission controls and is responsible for the investment of the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF). The National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission joined a group of the world's largest institutional investment funds in signing the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment when they were launched...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: At Budget time, my Department projected an increase in consumer spending of 3.8 per cent this year. This is lower than last year and reflects more modest employment growth and the absence of any significant SSIA impact. The Budget day forecasts for VAT receipts this year are partly based on this more modest rate of consumer spending. VAT receipts for the first quarter are slightly behind the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of claimants for top slicing relief in respect of payments made as compensation for loss of office which has been compiled on the basis of income tax returns for 2004, the most recent year for which full actual figures are available, is 1,400. There are preliminary indications that the numbers of claimants for 2005 is of a similar...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy can be found in the table. No. Building Location County Function 1 Staplestown Rd. Carlow, Co. Carlow Carlow VRT, compliance and audit functions are also carried out in this sub-offices of Kilkenny District 2 Newcourt Centre Church Street Cavan Compliance and Audit functions for the taxes and duties...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: While there are a number of challenges facing the economy, the fundamentals are still good. For instance, our public finances are sound with one of the lowest levels of debt in the euro area, our markets are flexible allowing us to respond efficiently to adverse developments, we have a dynamic and well educated labour force, we have a pro-business outward looking society and the tax burden...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government recognises that, in a small open economy such as Ireland's, it is imperative that sustainable export growth is maintained. Such growth can only be realised through ensuring that our economy and exports, in particular, remain competitive. Our competitiveness determines our ability to trade in international markets. In order to maintain or indeed to improve our competitiveness...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has risen by 5.0 per cent in the twelve months to March 2008. The main contributions to this increase, in order of importance were: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (which includes mortgage repayments) contributing just over 2.0 per cent; food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing almost 1.1 per cent; and transport...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The main contributions to the annual increase of 5.0 per cent in CPI over the 12 months to March 2008, in order of importance were: housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels contributing just over 2.0 per cent; food and non-alcoholic beverages contributing almost 1.1 per cent; and transport contributing 0.75 per cent. Therefore out of the twelve categories comprising the basket of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government's approach to taxation is set out in the Programme for Government and in recent Budgets and Finance Bills. In addition the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, states that the Government is committed to a taxation policy designed to maintain and strengthen the competitive position of the economy, foster improvements in productive capacity, economic and social development, and...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: On Budget day, GDP was projected by my Department to rise by 3.0 per cent this year, before increasing to 3.5 per cent next year and to 4.1 per cent in 2010. The equivalent figures for GNP were for growth of 2.8 per cent this year, followed by 3.3 per cent next year and 3.9 per cent in 2010. The Budget forecasts have not been changed. At the time a number of downside risks to these...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (24 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Form P60 which contains details of pay and tax/PRSI deducted for a particular tax year is not issued by the Revenue Commissioners; it is obtainable by an individual from the employer in whose employment the individual was at 31st December and must be issued by the employer before the following 15 February. The Revenue Commissioners have no...